We Finally Have an Update on Those Harry and Meghan “Trouble in Paradise” Rumors

It hasn't been the easiest year for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. In May, the couple was involved in a “near-catastrophic” car chase with paparazzi in New York City. Then last month, the Sussexes and Spotify parted ways from their multi-million dollar deal on uncertain terms; Behind-the-scenes, insiders said the royals were allegedly not pleased with how news about the decision came to light (an insider told Us Weekly at the time that “Spotify was supposed to release a statement saying how great it was to work with Meghan, but they didn’t”). But despite the setbacks, new reports say the couple is firmly looking forward and their relationship remains strong.

Joe Quenqua, a senior media strategist, told People in the outlet's cover story this week that the latest headlines about the couple reflect “serious growing pains” for their Archewell brand. Even in the midst of *waves hands* all this though, Meghan and Harry remain “a united front,” per a source who recently spoke with Us Weekly. “As far as they’re concerned, it’s Harry and Meghan against the world.”

Separately, a royal insider revealed to People their reasoning for why things haven't necessarily been smooth sailing for the Sussexes, saying that “there wasn’t necessarily a five-year plan” when Meghan and Harry left the U.K. after leaving senior royal family duties. (The couple withdrew themselves as working members of the royal family in 2020 and moved to Meghan's home state of California.)

According to the People source, royal life “wasn’t a world they wanted for their family,” and every decision the Sussexes have made in the time since their exit “flows from that, for whatever time period it takes.” Soon after the decision to leave the U.K was made, their explosive Oprah interview and lucrative deals with Netflix and Spotify seemed to usher in a new and exciting era for the royal couple. However, in the three years since, production has moved slowly as Hollywood has had to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, increasingly limited budgets, and the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. Aka...many things Meghan and Harry don't have control over.

The couple has still been the subject of tons of speculative headlines after their Netflix docuseries, Live to Lead, didn't make waves, and an animated project they were developing called Pearl about a girl inspired by female leaders was scratched, but Hollywood experts opened up to People and argue the Sussexes are being held to a higher standard than others. An insider close to the couple said “very few other production companies are measured by what’s actually hit the airwaves.”

Meanwhile, when it comes to the termination of Meghan and Harry's Spotify deal, a source close to the Archetypes production dished that the couple was not set up for success with the digital music service, saying, “They were given no formal lay of the land to kick things off, so they were already on unsteady footing even before the ink was dry.” They added that the royals had “a lot ideas and did pitch them,” but ultimately “things moved very slowly on both ends.”

A separate source commented to Us Weekly about how the setbacks have affected Meghan and Harry: “Harry and Meghan can’t keep track of the negative things people say about them. It’s relentless. They do their best to rise above it, but of course it gets to them—how could it not?”

“So much of Harry and Meghan’s time together has felt like overcoming strife from all sides,” a second source disclosed to the outlet. “They just do it together. They rely on each other for strength and always have.”

Luckily, things seem to be looking up for the couple. After all, Meghan recently signed with agency William Morris Endeavor, while Harry’s Netflix show Heart of Invictus, a docuseries about his competition for veterans and military service personnel, is slated to come out sometime this summer, per the streamer.

“Harry and Meghan are regrouping,” affirmed the second Us Weekly insider. “They want to figure out how they can best expand the entertainment side of things.” According to the mag, the Duchess of Sussex is even thinking about reviving her lifestyle site, The Tig, which she shut down after getting engaged to Harry. Apparently, the couple is also considering relocating again, this time to Malibu. “They’re looking for a house there,” added the second source.

All in all, an industry executive mused to People, “Has their final chapter been written? Absolutely not. Hollywood loves a comeback.”

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